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Tag: RSA Staff

  • Alcohol Fuelled Patients Clog up Ambulance Services

    It appears the number of alcohol related call outs in Geelong has gotten out of control and is putting even more pressure on ambulances than any other region in Victoria, according to reports.

    According to an article on the Geelong Advertiser website, a report released by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre earlier this year revealed that over 200 call outs a month in regional Vic are as a result of alcohol abuse or misuse.

    According to the report paramedics in greater Geelong attended almost 500 alcohol fuelled incidents in 2011-2012. Most of these cases are from self-inflicted injuries caused by alcohol as is actually risking the lives of other people in the area because it is diverting lifesaving resources away from the people that really need it.

    The article had this to say about the report’s findings:

    Greater Geelong paramedics attended 497 alcohol-related incidents in 2011-12, more than doubling the workload of areas such as La Trobe (190), Ballarat (178), Greater Shepparton (153) and Greater Bendigo (148).

    The report, released by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre in May this year, found ambulances attended more than 200 call-outs per month in regional Victoria due to alcohol abuse.

    Ambulance union state secretary Steve McGhie said self-inflicted cases were diverting lifesaving resources away from patients with genuine health issues.

    “Geelong should be concerned,” he said. “It’s something we have to address together.

    “People get angry about illicit drugs and its toll on the community but alcohol abuse is much worse.”

    The Surf Cost recorded 46 alcohol-related call-outs, Colac Otway 30, Golden Plains 10 and Queenscliff five.

    Read more: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/10/14/374443_news.html

    A spokesperson for the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Wooldridge said the situation is a major social problem, especially considering that it is likely to increase if it is not dealt with. In the past 10 years, the number of alcohol related ambulance attendances increased every year,

    The government is committed to tackling this problem by reducing the impact of alcohol and drug abuse in the community – this is the only way to alleviate the problem of alcohol related attendances wasting valuable medical resources.

    The article goes on to explain:

    “The (whole-of-government strategy) plan includes initiatives to promote healthier attitudes to excessive drinking and drunk behaviour, as well as measures to effectively regulate alcohol supply with strengthened reforms to liquor licensing laws,” the spokesperson said.

    Labor secretary for health Wade Noonan said the report showed paramedics were being sent into dangerous situations and that people were left “dangerously exposed”.

    “The increase in alcohol and drug-related ambulance attendances is leading to some serious incidents involving our respected paramedics, including assaults,” he said.

    Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2013/10/14/374443_news.html

    As the spokesperson explained the huge alcohol related caseload is adding enormous pressure to the ambulance service which is already under stress. In fact the situation is so serious that one in four ambulances already failed to response to life-threatening emergencies within 15 minutes – the government’s target response time.

    A spokesperson for the Health Minister David Davis denied that the Ambulance service was failing to keep up with the high demand and cited a 13.7 per cent increase in ambulance shifts operating in the Geelong area. He says, the Geelong has more paramedics now than it’s ever had.

    What does this mean for RSA Staff?

    As RSA staff we have a duty to serve alcohol in a socially responsible manner so as not to contribute to the high number of alcohol related incidents tying up ambulances and other medical services, keeping them from seeing to patients with “real” non-self-inflicted problems. We can do this by completing the Responsible Service of Alcohol course and adhering to all RSA rules.

     

  • RSA Staff – Importance of Paying Attention to Patrons

    What does the work of a bartender or waitron involve? Simply serving food and beverages to customers? Actually bartenders, waitron and staff of licenced venues’ responsibilities involves much more than merely taking people’s orders, it involves ensuring that the harm done to society by alcohol abusers is minimised. This is done by enforcing Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation and following the rules set out by the law and the establishment you work in.

    It is true that the level of alcohol fuelled misconduct in entertainment districts all across the country has gotten out of hand and has public servants such as the police and medical staff as well as the  public concerned, some even too scared to venture into certain districts on weekends or at night. Violent attacks, brawls and drink driving are the main problems and RSA staff do not need to sit back and observe but can actually do something to improve the situation.

    One of the ways that RSA staff can contribute to a safer Oz is by observing and enforcing responsible service of alcohol laws, such as never serving alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons. Paying better attention to customers is one of the ways RSA staff can ensure that some unduly intoxicated patron is not slipping through the cracks.

    While many RSA staff may be of the opinion that it’s just none of their business how much alcohol a patron consumes, according to the law they have a responsibility to never serve alcohol to unduly intoxicated patrons.

    The consequences of serving unduly intoxicated patrons can go beyond fines for licensees and their staff, people can be hurt and lives can be lost if responsible service of alcohol rules are not followed. For example if a patron you serve excessively becomes drunk and assaults another patrons or someone outside the venue, you and the licensee may be held accountable. Consequences could be even worse if someone’s life was to be lost as a result.

    Responsible service of alcohol training teaches workers how to identify intoxicated patrons and how to deal with them. It also teaches RSA staff the consequences they and their employer may face if RSA laws are breached.

    If staff of licenced venues pay more attention to their patrons and begin enforcing RSA rules more closely, we should see a decline in alcohol fuelled violence and misconduct on our streets.

    Managers of licensed venues should ensure all their employees are properly trained and know the products that you sell as well as being trained in Responsible Service of Alcohol. Staff of licensed venues from security staff to bartenders must obtain the RSA certificate and keep a copy of the certificate on the premises at all times.

    By paying better attention to customers and ensuring that you are your co-workers do not serve too much alcohol to patrons, you too can do your bit in reducing alcohol fuelled problems in the country.

     

  • RSA Staff: Avoid Prosecution by Asking for IDs

    Pub and Bar staff, in fact any staff of licenced venues need to be aware of the danger of not asking patrons for proof of their age, especially patrons who look under 23.

    While it is often easy to overlook serving a minor when the venue is busy, extra attention must be given to people who look like that may be around their early twenties to make sure no underage patrons slip through the cracks.

    It is important to remember that the Responsible Service of Alcohol legislation dictates that bar staff, security staff etc. – anyone that serves alcohol must ensure that they do not serve minors or face fines of up to $8000.

    Even just allowing underage patrons into licenced premises could cost bar staff $10,000 in fines and the management could receive an even bigger fine.

    It is illegal for a person under the age of 18 to be found in possession of, or drinking alcohol in a public place or to be found entering and remaining in a venue that supplies alcohol. People under the age of 18 are only permitted in a licensed venue under certain circumstances, such as a underage function approved by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, with a responsible adult who is over 18 years, they reside on the premises, are engaged in a training program in hospitality or training for the purposes of employment or work experience or unaccompanied, in a licensed restaurant during ordinary trading hours (7am to 11pm).

    If a person under the age of 18 is found to be breaking any of the laws outlined above, they may also be fined $500.